Richard Butler, 5th Viscount Mountgarret facts for kids
Richard Butler, 5th Viscount Mountgarret, was an important Irish soldier and politician who lived a long time ago. He passed away on February 27, 1707.
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Who Was Richard Butler?
Richard Butler was the son of Edmund Butler, who was the 4th Viscount Mountgarret. His mother was Lady Dorothy Tuchet. Her father was Mervyn Tuchet, the 2nd Earl of Castlehaven.
A Soldier and Politician
Richard Butler started his career as a captain in the French Royal Army. This means he was a leader in the French army.
He was a strong Roman Catholic. Because of his beliefs, he faced difficulties and was even held in Liverpool in 1658. This happened during a time called The Protectorate in England.
On April 5, 1679, Richard Butler became the 5th Viscount Mountgarret. This was a special title he inherited from his father.
His Role in Parliament
In 1689, King James II of England asked him to join the Irish House of Lords. This was part of a special meeting called the Patriot Parliament.
During the Williamite War in Ireland, Richard Butler supported King James II. He even created his own group of soldiers and was their colonel, which means he was their leader.
After the War
Even though he supported King James II, Richard Butler was not punished by the other side (the Williamites) after the war.
In 1692, he went to the Irish House of Lords again. He refused to take an important oath called the Oath of Supremacy. This oath would have meant he accepted the King as the head of the church.
Later, in 1697, he worked to fix a legal problem for his grandfather, Richard Butler.
Family Life
Richard Butler was married twice. His first wife was Emily Blundell. They got married in September 1661. They had three sons together, and one of them, Edmund, became his heir.
After 1682, he married his second wife, Margaret Shee.
